British parliament speaker John Bercow has warned Prime Minister David Cameron against deciding to send heavy weaponry to terrorists in Syria, describing such a decision as Å“undemocratic”.
John Bercow told David Cameron that it would be “undemocratic” to arm terrorists fighting the Syrian government without giving parliament a vote, amid suspicions the government may try and bypass the Commons.
Bercow sought to reassure MPs that a vote was the only “democratic course”. He told the Commons any thoughts Cameron had of avoiding a vote should be “speedily expunged” from the prime minister’s mind as “undemocratic and inappropriate”.
However MPs from all parties have been suspicious the prime minister was deliberately leaving himself wiggle room to deliver weapons, or take other military action, before any debate or vote were held.
Former Labour Foreign Office minister Peter Hain told Foreign Secretary William Hague it should be made “crystal clear” that a vote should be held to authorise other actions that fell short of arming the rebels including participating in a no-fly zone or helping with training.
Pressed by unconvinced MPs further on whether there would be a vote, an exasperated Hague, replied: “Yes!”
It appears highly unlikely the government could win a Commons vote as military intervention is opposed by Labour, the Lib Dems as well as a substantial number of Tory backbenchers.
A senior Tory source told The Sunday Times: “The bottom line is that we will avoid at all costs a vote as we donâ„¢t think we can win it.”
MOL/HE
This article originally appeared on: Press TV